"Having seen war, you obviously learned to hate war"

Mark Hatfield’s observation reflects a profound truth about the transformative impact of firsthand experience in war. War is often glorified or romanticized by those who have not been subjected to its brutal realities. However, for those who have truly seen it, the illusion quickly falls away. The chaos, suffering, and profound loss permanently shape those involved. Witnessing the destruction of lives, families, and communities erases any lofty narratives about honor or glory. Instead, war becomes synonymous with pain, futility, and the failure of communication and humanity.

Hatfield’s words suggest that knowledge gained through direct experience fosters empathy. Those who have walked through battlefields know the cost of every decision, the weight of every life taken or lost. They become acutely aware of the senselessness that pervades armed conflict. Hatred of war, in this sense, is not an abstract moral stance, but a visceral response, born from trauma and sorrow. Hatfield points to a transformation that comes only when the hidden costs of conflict, psychological scars, ruined landscapes, displaced peoples, are brought into sharp relief through personal witnessing. The individual who has “seen war” cannot easily believe in its necessity or efficacy.

Further, Hatfield’s words challenge societies and policymakers to heed the testimonies of veterans and survivors rather than those who speak of war in the abstract. There is an implicit call to value the perspectives of those who know war intimately, as they are positioned to most authentically advocate for peace. The heart of his statement serves as a caution against the temptation to address problems through violence. True understanding, it suggests, emerges not from distance or detachment, but from the humility gained by confronting the worst of humanity firsthand. By learning to hate war, one paradoxically learns to value life and peace all the more.